- Publication 2002 by Origami USA
- 88 pages - reliure spirale / spiralbound
- Langage = Anglais / English

Having kept and bred ornamental goldfish for as long as I can remember, These gorgeous yet sometimes weird looking creatures have a special place in my heart. Yet as a subject in origami, goldfish - in its myriad varieties - seem to be under represented. It seemed quite natural that this book should be on Origami Goldfish - bringing together the two leisure activities that have given me so much joy and satisfaction over the years.

Goldfish - particularly the more common varieties of dubious parentage - have proven to be popular pets and companions to people of all ages the world over. Yet most people, it seems, do not know much about the more striking and ornamental varieties.

Originating from deformed Chinese carp, years of selective breeding have produced varieties with distinctive body shapes, colours, plumes, and fins - or the lack thereof.

The Ryukin is characterized by its hunched back, chunky body and obscene pot-belly. Imagine a sweet young thing in all her bridal glory, having to spend her days swimming to and fro in an aquarium. That's the Veiltail Goldfish for you. Then there's the closest thing to a swimming tennis ball - the Ranchu.

To the more superstitious in some Asian societies, goldfish have become symbols of prosperity, longevity and good luck. And whatever suggestions of good omen that probably originated from some intrepid merchants anxious to unload their over-priced inventory.

A limited number of the Origami Goldfish book was released during the Southeast Origami Festival in Charlotte, North Carolina, in September 2002. The book is now available from Origami USA at http://www.origami-usa.org/.

Click on the thumbs below to see what you get for your money.

Cheers,

Ron Koh